AGPT registrar means a registrar registered under Section 3GA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 in the Australian General Practice Training Program

Registrarfor prospective remediation means a registrar who has been identified by the RTO as being in need of additional training and support and where suspension of training time may be required

Advisory/consultative services means any discussion with the RACGP’s Senior Medical Advisor, Education Progression relating to any concerns that RTOs may have with respect to registrar remediation

4. Background

4.1 Context

4.1.1 RTOs are required to have documented processes in place that allow for early identification and management of registrars with deficiencies in their clinical knowledge and skills, rate of progress within training, and clinical competence and/or performance, and who are therefore in need of additional training and support.

4.1.2 Remediation is available to enable RTOs to support registrars who have not shown sufficient improvement with focused learning interventions (FLIs) and where it is believed that a remedial term will enable the registrar to reach an appropriate standard.

4.1.3 This policy replaces the previous AGPT Remediation Policy 2017 and will come into effect as of 1 May 2017

4.2 Objective

This policy describes how RTOs may apply to the RACGP for financial assistance and/or advisory/consultative services to aid in registrar remediation.

4.3 Scope

The policy applies to all registrars enrolled on the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program in both the RACGP general and rural pathways.

5. General principles

5.1 When a registrar for prospective remediation is identified, as per clause 4.1 of this document, the RTO must:

5.1.1 Submit to the RACGP an application for remediation support. This application must include:

i. the reasons why remediation support is required

ii. evidence supporting the RTO’s belief that a remedial term will enable the registrar for prospective remediation to reach an appropriate standard

iii. the proposed remediation plan that addresses the registrar’s clinical skills deficiencies (the remediation plan must also have been agreed to by the registrar)

iv. a proposed budget, as applicable, that identifies the resources required to support the remediation plan

v. a proposed timeframe for the remediation plan (the remediation period should be no longer than 6 months)

vi. the expected outcomes of the remediation

5.1.2 In the event that the application for remediation is accepted, authority to suspend the registrar’s training time will be granted and RTOs will be required to record the suspension in the registrar’s training record.

5.2 Applications for remediation funding under this policy are made to the RACGP by completing the prescribed Application for Registrar Remediation Funding form and submitting it to the RACGP.

5.3 Funding under this policy is only available from the date of approval of the application for funding.

5.4 A decision with respect to the application will be made within 30 days of receipt of the application. RTOs will be notified within 5 days of that decision having been made.

5.5 RTOs must notify the Department of Health when a registrar is undertaking RACGP approved remediation.

5.6 Registrars approved for funding support under this policy who fail or refuse to complete the agreed plan (as required by their RTO) may be subject to the AGPT Withdrawal Policy (Clause 5.4 Category 4 – Withdrawal based on Compliance with Education and Training Requirements). The decision to withdraw the registrar from the AGPT Program rests with the RTO; however, the RACGP may provide advice in this instance.

6. Appealing a remediation outcome

6.1 Registrars who are dissatisfied with an RTO's decision following a program of remediation may appeal that decision.

6.2 The process for appealing a remediation outcome is detailed in the AGPT Appeals Policy 2017 and the RACGP Registrar Clinical Appeals Policy. These policies are to be read in conjunction.